Strengthening application

[CycloneT]

Hey all I was interested in going to OTS/OCS for either AF or Navy for a pilot spot and was wondering what I could do to strengthen my application. Thanks in advance for any tips!

Major: Computer Engineering
GPA: 3.75
For the AFOQT I haven’t actually taken it but did some practice exams online and was getting pretty consistent 80s for all categories so I would hope I could push to 90s with dedicated studying
Flight hours: 0
Extracurriculars: I was an Eagle Scout and went to boys state in high school but not sure how relevant they are
-Volunteer coordinator for a campus community service club
-Member of campus cybersecurity club
-Several internships with some leadership stuff involved

I’m pretty early in the process of the application process but I was just looking for early guidance as to what I can improve to have higher chances of a rated slot
Thanks!

 

[Tbpxece]

Hey all I was interested in going to OTS/OCS for either AF or Navy for a pilot spot and was wondering what I could do to strengthen my application. Thanks in advance for any tips!

Major: Computer Engineering
GPA: 3.75
For the AFOQT I haven’t actually taken it but did some practice exams online and was getting pretty consistent 80s for all categories so I would hope I could push to 90s with dedicated studying
Flight hours: 0
Extracurriculars: I was an Eagle Scout and went to boys state in high school but not sure how relevant they are
-Volunteer coordinator for a campus community service club
-Member of campus cybersecurity club
-Several internships with some leadership stuff involved

I’m pretty early in the process of the application process but I was just looking for early guidance as to what I can improve to have higher chances of a rated slot
Thanks!

For your AFOTS application:
1. Quantify your leadership experience beyond "some leadership stuff involved"
2. Ditch any membership stuff where you weren't a leader-- it's not pertinent
3. Score well on the AFOQT, but keep in mind this is more to get an OTS seat-- its role is smaller in your pilot package
4. Don't retake the AFOQT if your score is 70+ unless its strongly recommended by the recruiter. <70 AFOQT is not necessarily a dq for pilot if your other fundamentals are strong. The AFOQT is last attempt, NOT best sitting, and generally only 2 attempts are allowed per lifetime.
5. Broaden your scope: Look into CSO, ABM, and RPA pilot positions. Look into Guard and Reserve as well-- their pilots often fly just as much (if not more) than AD and it's occasionally faster to enter service via the Reserve Component. If you're ever looking at going commercial, then this is a much more compatible route and may allow you to start flying commercial much earlier and building seniority. Waiting out that 10 year ADSC (which doesn't include training) to separate and fly commercial can get brutal toward the end after you pin on Major and start getting pushed toward command experience. Not saying AFAD is bad-- just cast a wide net in your application if you want to have some control over what you do or want to have a fallback plan.

Lastly:
1. Don't do drugs. Don't drink underage. Don't get a DUI. Don't write bad checks. Don't take on anything more than low amounts of debt or live off your credit cards. Be super careful about interactions with medical providers and law enforcement until you complete OTS. Most of the OTS washout occurs before arriving at Maxwell. I.e. avoid those "minor" misdemeanor speeding convictions, and don't let any Urgent Care PA's prescribe you an inhaler for that bronchitis that you got after a summer cold.

The best packages can be quickly derailed by failure to obtain a S or TS clearance (due to debt, DUI, or civil/criminal penalties).

Good luck and thanks for considering joining the DoD.